PATRIOTS WAIVE TONY COLLINS

Veteran running back Tony Collins, who reportedly was in a drug rehabilitation clinic in March after having resumed drug use, was waived by the New England Patriots.

No official reason was given for the release of Collins, still the Patriots' best all-around running back and their third-leading all-time rusher. In a written statement, Patriots coach Raymond Berry praised Collins' play during his seven seasons with the team, but neither Berry nor General Manager Pat Sullivan would comment beyond that.